Cantal is one of the oldest French Cheeses, predating both Roquefort (11th Century) and Livarot (13th Century). In fact, Pliny the Elder mentions Cantal in his "Historia Naturalis" written in the 1st Century AD. Cantal was originally produced by putting the curd into "le formage", a wooden cylinder, which is believed to be the origin for the French word for cheese. Named after the Cantal Mountains in Auvergne, this cheese has been dear to the French throughout history. For example, in medieval times it was the courtly custom to send a gift of cheese to impress or to people one admired. Cantal is made from raw cow's milk with the curd being heated before pressing. This AOC cheese has a smooth, grayish-brown rind with a smooth, pale yellow, close-textured interior. Cantal has a milky aroma, a nutty flavor with a hint of tangy butteriness, and a slightly acidic finish. Aged from three to nine months, it is prone to blue mold (fleur de bleu) which the French gladly eat, but can also be cut off if this is not your preference. Try Cantal in a French ploughman's platter, in soups or sauces, or to flavor muffins or gratins. But, ignore this description and take advice from a French poet: "To elaborate on Cantal is an error of taste; it is all simplicity".

I have had Cantal cheese in France and really liked it. This version is a bit milder, but still very good. It came vacuum packed in a cooler with freeze packs that were still frozen when they got here. The temp outside was in the low 90s so the package worked to do it's job.

By Frances Bergefrom Shreveport Laon Apr 29, 2017

ordered cheese

Cantal , do you sometime have the Boursault and Doux de Montagne .
we are very please efficiency of service and shipping .

By bussiegfrom TNon Dec 30, 2016

Seems not mature enough!

tatse appears to mild, not enough strength as if it has been released not mature enough, not finished.
Otherwise well packaged. If you like mild cheese this one is for you, but Cantal usually has a stronger taste. A bit of a deception for us.

By John Gfrom Ormond Bch., Flon Oct 31, 2016

The best tasting cheese ever

We stopped at a farmers market in France a few ago and tasted a sample of this cheese. From that point on it has become our favorite cheese from France.

By Johnfrom Indyon Sep 03, 2016

Excellent

Just about perfect with apple

By Nancy Ricefrom Detroit. Michiganon Dec 25, 2015

Excellent tangy cheese delivered on time

Made potatoes Anna but added layers of grated cantal--rave reviews

By R Cookfrom COon Dec 10, 2015

Too Young

A more mature Cantal is what I was hoping for.

By Angelafrom Denver, COon Sep 29, 2015

My favorite cheese

We recently returned from a trip to Paris where we had been given Cantal cheese in the restaurant. I later found it from a street vendor by the Sorbonne so when I got home I had to order some to enjoy here in the states.